Hi there and welcome to the BrisStyle Inc. community blog. BrisStyle Inc. is a community group of artists and crafters who live in and around Brisbane. We work to provide support and creative opportunities for our members through workshops, business and creative development sessions, markets (come and meet the makers), exhibitions and social get-togethers. Head over to our website www.brisstyle.com.au for more information.

Monday, April 30, 2012

If you are in the West End area on May 5th you should definitely head to Nook and check out the Pop Up Exhibition by Brisbane Artist Chrissy Foreman Cranitch. Chrissy creates colourful, abstract, mix media artworks, prints, stationary and more.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Firstly, a huge thank you to all those who braved the rain and visited our BrisStyle indie Twilight Markets last night. Even though bad weather forecasts moved us to the deck above Groove Train (rather than King George Square), the turnout was still fantastic. Did you enjoy the night as customer/stall holder? Please leave a comment, we'd love to know your thoughts.

Are you still wondering what to get that wonderful mum or mum in law of yours for Mother's Day? Here's a few little goodies we're sure she'd love.

You too can take part in our weekly Let's Go Shopping meme! Post your Etsy
finds on your blog then pop back here and add the blog post link below.
Don't forget to link back to this post so everyone can check out all
your fabulous Etsy finds. Anyone can play along so come join in the fun!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Don't forget that the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market is on tomorrow night! We'd love to see you there!

“Brisbane’s HOTtest destination for everything Handmade under the stars”.

The BrisStyle indie Twilight Markets in the heart of King George Square offer a distinctive home-grown experience unique to Brisbane. These Friday night markets combine the laid-back attitude of south-east Queensland with the buzz of Brisbane’s CBD to create a lantern lit celebration of local independent art, craft and design.

Meander through the stalls of over 60 local artisans who specialise in producing soulful and stylish handmade wares with a unique Queensland twist. With a café, restaurant and bar onsite along with the sounds of Brisbane’s premier jazz bands wowing the crowds, this is late night shopping like you’ve never experienced it!

So support the local Queensland community and shop ethically at Brisbane’s HOTtest destination for everything handmade under the stars.

Staying creatively inspired can be difficult when 'life' is whirling on around you. Do you have any techniques that you rely on to keep you on top of things creatively? If so, we would love to know about them.

For our 'Your Creative Business' post this week we have gathered up some great articles with lots of tips and tricks to keep you inspired creatively:

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

First up, we had the pleasure of Kirsteene Phelan, Etsy's Australia Representative, in our BiDM home - St Augustine's church hall.

Kirsteene was the special guest presenter on Saturday morning for our I♥Craft BrisStyle Creative Development Session- 'Pricing Your Work', and discussed pricing your creative products. Kirsteene then gave a lucky few a quick Etsy shop critique. What a treat!!

Oh, and BrisStyle turned 4!! We ended the day with a BrisStyle birthday party, meeting lots of BrisStylers and munching on birthday cake and treats. It's always lovely seeing BrisStylers in person, and finding out how they got into craft. Thank you everyone for coming along, and to those who brought along treats too. We hope you learned lots from our I♥Craft BrisStyle Creative Development Session- 'Pricing Your Work', and would love to hear your pricing tips and tricks too. See you all this Friday night at the BrisStyle indie Twilight Market in King George Square!!

If you're a lover of contemporary art photography you may want to check out the current group exhibition at 'the SWICH Contemporary Art Space' in Ipswich. Show your support to BrisStyle member and Contemporary Artist, Sandra Darling, who will have her unique photographic work on display as part of the exhibition.﻿

According to the SWICH website 'The exhibition plays on the notion of aesthetic
conversation, a form of dialogue that takes place when different contributions
are considered in terms of interchanging ideas'.

Contemporary artists have created small bodies of photographic work that explore the diverse sub-genres in art photography, including deadpan, digital, the document, abstraction installation and video.

It consists of small bodies of
work created by contemporary artists working within the medium of
photography.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

This week's 'Tuesday Treasury' is a riot of colour, an explosion of pink, blue, green, yellow and purple. 'Sing Me a Rainbow' of handmade delights by BrisStylers. Hope you enjoy the burst of colour as much as we do!

Monday, April 23, 2012

An international success at the Sundance Film Festival, Wish You Were Here is an intriguing psychological drama featuring stand-out performances from leads Joel Edgerton, Felicity Price, and Teresa Palmer.

Four friends - husband and wife Dave and Alice, and Alice's sister Steph with her new boyfriend Jeremy - lose themselves in the fun of a carefree South East Asian holiday. However, only three return to Australia. Dave and Alice come home to their young family desperate for answers about Jeremy's mysterious disappearance. When Steph returns not long after, a brutal secret is revealed about the night her boyfriend went missing - but it is only the first of many.

With a non-linear timeline used to maximum effect, and exploring notions of trust, responsibility and fear, Wish You Were Here is a searing, remarkable piece of Australian Cinema.

In Cinemas April 25

GIVEAWAY

We have 5 complimentary in-season double passes to 'Wish You Were Here' to giveaway with special thanks to Hopscotch Films.

To enter, tell us in 25 words or less why you and your bestie deserve a good night out. Be sure to include your email address with your comment so we can contact you easily if you win.

The giveaway runs from Monday April 23rd to Thursday April 26th.

Those who miss out on winning a double pass can come along to the BiTM on Friday night and pick up a 2 for 1 ticket from the BrisStyle promo stand. Be sure to mention this blog post to get your ticket.

You too can take part in our weekly Let's Go Shopping meme! Post your Etsy finds on your blog then pop back here and add the blog post link below. Don't forget to link back to this post so everyone can check out all your fabulous Etsy finds. Anyone can play along so come join in the fun!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Most small businesses will use a combination of online tools to help market their business! You may be super savvy and utilise a blog, facebook, twitter (+more) in harmony. Or you may focus on just one or two outlets. It is important when utilising these tools that you don't constantly bombard your readers with product info. Keeping your posts interesting and varied will ensure you have a happy growing group of followers.

This week for 'Your Creative Business' we have round up a number of great articles to help you with marketing your business successfully online.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

We'd like to take the opportunity on this lovely Wednesday evening to introduce to you one of our latest website sponsors, FlashIssue.

FlashIssue is a new and exciting tool for anyone who wants get noticed and sell more of their handmade products. It's great for all retailers but was specifically built with DIY business owners who are strapped for time in mind.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Are you planning a lovely Spring wedding to your beloved? Are you thinking of a small intimate occasion with handmade, DIY and vintage accents? Then pop online and check out our 'Wedding With Heart' Etsy treasury.....full of handmade treats to make your day extra special! Made by BrisStylers of course.

Monday, April 16, 2012

If you are just starting out and ready to take your hobby to the next level or have an established creative business and are looking for motivation and networking opportunities, this session is for you. ....and the best part, it's FREE!

So with no further ado here's your invite to the next exciting session........

:: Wholesale and Consignment ::

with our panel of local crafty experts

Do you create handmade wares and want to sell them in a retail environment? Then this Q&A style session, loaded with anecdotal experience from a panel of local creative’s, will give you all the tips and tricks to take your craft to the next level.

Led by local illustrator and creator of eco treasures Sam Gilkes from Jetta's Nest, this session will provide plenty of opportunities to ask questions of the panel and network with your crafty neighbours. One not to be missed!

You too can take part in our weekly Let's Go Shopping meme! Post your Etsy finds on your blog then pop back here and add the blog post link below. Don't forget to link back to this post so everyone can check out all your fabulous Etsy finds. Anyone can play along so come join in the fun!